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ST 321 was equipped with sensor jammers, specialized tactical displays, and other modified features, such as advanced targeting systems.[2][3] The "ST" in the shuttle's designation stood for "space transport."[4] It is escorted by a contingent of TIE/LN starfighters, one of which included Black 11.

One of ST 321's earliest uses was in 18 BBY, where it was returning Palpatine and Vader from Yinchorr. It was boarded by six Stormtroopers cloned from Sa Cuis's genetic template led by the treacherous Emperor's Hand Sheyvan, who intended to usurp EmperorPalpatine during his rule. Vader, alongside LieutenantErv Lekauf and cloned Stormtroopers derived from the latter's template, fought back, resulting in Vader killing Sheyvan in a quick duel. Lekauf, however, was severely burned from the fires aboard the vessel.[6]

Throughout the Imperial Period and the Galactic Civil War, Vader utilized the shuttle for instances that required him to make a personal appearance to motivate the Imperial forces.[7] In 1 ABY, Vader—accompanied by a unit of Triumphant-class dark troopers—used this shuttle during the operations Molecular Clamp, Sieve, Green Light and Take Down to travel to the cities of Bestine, Coronet and Theed, respectively. In addition, he also used the shuttle to travel directly to Theed during Empire Day Festivities to personally present several dedicated Imperial officers with awards for acts of service and loyalty to the Empire.[8] A year later, Vader later used the shuttle to travel to Bespin during its occupation by Imperial Forces to coerce its administrator, Lando Calrissian, who was also a former acquaintance of Han Solo, into delivering him, Leia, and Chewbacca to him. After losing Luke Skywalker during their duel, he used the shuttle to return to the Executor.

The shuttle later reappeared in the 1997 re-releases of The Empire Strikes Back when Vader returned to the Executor during the film's climax, largely due to their reusing the scene of Darth Vader's arrival on the Death Star II from Return of the Jedi.